FAQ

Window film is installed to the inside surface of a glass window which doesn’t require any external scaffolding and isn’t dependent on having a sunny day to complete the installation.
This is the basic process:
Clean the inside surface of the window and frame edges with a very fine scraper surface (window film is always applied on the inside)
Spray the film and the window with the soap/water mixture for mounting the film
Apply and trim the film to match the shape of the window pane.
Remove excess water solution with a Squeegee and apply edge sealant to qualify for maximum term warranty.
Installer tidies window frames and all surfaces.
Windows of an average size house can be installed in less than a day.

We don’t have any expectation that you would ever want to remove window film from your windows but if the case arises then yes, it can be removed. It is applied to a glass surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive that cures over the course of about a month. Even when the adhesive is cured the film can be removed with a razor fine scraper causing no damage to window surfaces.

All of our window films do an excellent job of dramatically reducing fading of furnishing, art and wall and floor covering.
Major causes of fading are a combination of ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light, and solar heat. To prolong the life and preserve the appearance of your furnishings all of these factors are reduced by application of film on your windows.

No, window film is designed to hold broken pieces of glass together in the window opening after a break. This reduces the chance of injury from flying shards of glass, makes it more difficult to break in through a window, as well as increases safety and security in the event of a windstorm.

Better Windows specializes in new technology high clarity window film that doesn’t use the dyes associated with the older style car and office buildings which change colour and can create an unsightly rainbow effect.

Our installers are certified to Nitto Denko standards for quality purposes. It takes a substantial amount of experience to be proficient in applying window film so we only allow our trained installers to install for our customers.

Penjerex is a high clarity thermal insulating window film alternative to retrofit double glazing. It can provide better than 95% of the effectiveness of conventional retrofit (3/A6/3) double glazing for around half the cost.
It reduces internal heat loss by 44% in cold months and also reduces excessive solar heat in hot summer months by up to 40% which provides an ideal combination formulated for the New Zealand climate.
Additional features include 99% UV radiation reduction and vastly improved safety again shattering glass panes.
Technically, Penjerex is a new technology ‘low emissivity’ window film that provides the same benefit as new low-e glass but can applied directly to existing window panes.
Penjerex has been developed and manufactured in Japan by Nitto Denko Corporation which is a global leader in technologically advanced films and tapes.

The new technology low emissivity (low e) characteristics of Penjerex holds in heat by reflecting internal infrared radiation (heating energy) back into the room reducing internal heat loss by 45% when compared to standard 4mm clear glass panes.
In hot weather it reflects heat energy from the sun by approximately 40% while also reducing the UV radiation by 99%
The patented construction incorporates an invisible metal foil to reflect more of the interior room heat back into the room where it is needed. This also improves room temperature comfort by reducing potential draft sensations near the window. Penjerex can also give savings on energy costs, as the application of the film helps to stabilize the internal temperature of a building year round, this is especially effective for commercial buildings which use HVAC systems to heat and cool continuously.
Penjerex is also protected with an abrasion resistant coating for long term durability and maintained appearance.

Penjerex manufactured by Nitto Denko, is a market leader in insulating window film. It has the highest ISO tested performance data results for internal heat loss reduction and visual clarity compared to its competitor products.
Penjerex also has an ideal balance of reducing external solar energy for NZ conditions in residential and commercial buildings.
There are very few low emissivity window films available and this new technology shouldn’t be mistaken for older style ‘solar cut’ window films. Penjerex is a new type of technology.

Yes. The Penjerex residential replacement product warranty covers the original purchaser for up to 10 years and a commercial warranty additionally offers a 1 time warranty transferal. Penjerex warranty requires an invisible edge sealant to be used for residential buildings within 500m of the sea.
Nitto Denko underwrites the warranty which includes removal and replacement of film that, in an unlikely event, should experience; adhesive failure, bubbling, cracking, delamination, excessive and unusual discolouration, peeling or other manufacturer’s defect.

The best way to view a sample is contact Better Windows and arrange a demonstration of Penjerex ability to reduce heat loss and excessive solar heat gain in your home or commercial building.
Our installers are trained to explain important features and properties of the film with a heat lamp demonstration kit.

Yes certainly. Commercial building HVAC units consume around half of the electricity used in an office building with approximately 50/50 split between heating and cooling energy depending on the building design.
The NABERS program is now being promoted in New Zealand to improve commercial building energy efficiency and Penjerex is a cost effective product to assist commercial buildings lower space heating and cooling energy while improving occupant comfort with virtually no impact on daylighting.

Yes. Penjerex can be safely installed on double pane (thermal insulated) windows further improving their insulating and adding UV and solar heat reduction properties that double glazed don’t necessarily have.
Our installers offer guidance to suggest if Penjerex is appropriate in certain circumstances and any particular risks may be relevant. The manufacturer warranty of some double glazing units may be void when Penjerex is applied.

No, Penjerex doesn’t cause double glaze window seal failure. When Penjerex is applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption of the sun’s energy, which will increase the temperature of the glass pane. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace, slightly raising the airspace temperature.
However, even a 20 oC degree increase (unusual for circumstances) will result in a less than 3% change in air pressure. Properly made windows are designed and tested to withstand over 20% changes in air pressure.

Penjerex isn’t marketed or sold with any expectation to reduce condensation on window surfaces. If you do have a condensation problem in your home then there are other products and solutions available that can assist to lower the impact of this.
When Penjerex is applied to a window surface it does reduce the size of condensation droplets creating the appearance of a fine mist instead of the normal large droplets running down the window.

We recommend all homes have good ceiling and floor installation installed as this will reduce heat loss and assist to reduce moisture problems that cause condensation.
When looking to ‘close the thermal envelope’ the next logical step is to insulate windows as these can contribute 25% to 48% of heat loss according to BRANZ estimates.
There are several options with retrofit window insulation but we believe Penjerex is the most cost effective and easy to install product available.

Penjerex is manufactured with a superior hard coat surface which is scratch resistant to normal wear and tear. Our product care information gives you all the advice to keep your insulating film in great condition. It also informs you of what not to do with your Penjerex windows.

The return on investment period depends on local climate and type of heating and cooling devices a building uses.
In New Zealand, the payback period is estimated to be around 5 years in the South Island increasing to 7 years in the upper north island depending in air conditioning and heating energy use.
Even though we all know payback time is important, we strive to create energy efficient living and work environments that are comfortable all year round as this is what we want for all New Zealanders.

Penjerex has the highest visual light transmission rating of any low emissivity or solar cut window films and is virtually indistinguishable from a clear window pane.
It is ideal for character homes as it does not impact on the aesthetic of windows and frames and has minimal visual change when viewed from the outside of your home or a commercial building. This allows Penjerex to be applied to specific ‘problem’ window areas or individual building floors without impacting the exterior look.

Common neutral detergent solutions (that do not contain chlorine or ammonia) may be used to clean Penjerex, along with a soft cotton rag or microfiber cloth. Avoid any abrasive cleansers or towels. We suggest using the same water & baby shampoo mixture that you used to install the film (one teaspoon of shampoo to a quart of water).

Plant growth and development requirements vary with different plants and depend upon light, temperature range, climate exposure, humidity, CO2 levels, etc.
For sufficient growth, the wavelength of 400-700 nm (visible light) range is important for photosynthesis (greening process) while the 700-850 nm (visible light) range is required for the photomorphogenic process (flowering process). While Penjerex does marginally reduce the intensity of visible light wavelengths, it is designed to reduce the UV and Infrared wavelengths primarily which can assist plant growth.

Penjerex insulation window film will increase the temperature of your sunlit glass, which can then increase the stress on the glass edges. The quality of the glass edge and several other factors (external shading, interior shading, glass history, size and shape of glass, indoor/outdoor temperature) all contribute to the risk of glass breakage.
Your Better Windows installer will assess any risk and advise you during the quotation stage.

The volume of water on windows with Penjerex applied is reduced by 5 times less then when compared to standard glass in laboratory testing.

Penjerex actually causes smaller droplets of water which evaporate more easily
This is because the film creates a more rapid energy absorption which can speeds up evaporation time.
Condensation generally forms overnight as the moisture in the air and the temperature outside drops. Once the day’s sunlight and heat increases temperature of glass most condensation disappears and with Penjerex this process is accelerated so that water droplets evaporate quicker. This is because Penjerex windows are more efficient at holding a stable temperature.

Penjerex will decrease the volume of condensation but because smaller droplets are formed on the glass and as the glass is better insulated than standard glass the visual affect is that you are more likely to notice the moisture as a mist on your windows.

While condensation is present Penjerex performance can decrease up to 25%
Better Windows recommends that you look at your whole home envelope of heating, cooling and ventilation so that you can minimise your condensation and increase the airflow in your home.

It is quite likely you already know what condensation is. Getting up in the morning you may have seen the water droplets covering the inside of your windows. Although windows may seem like the culprit, they are actually not the cause of condensation. Condensation is due to you and your family’s activity within your home. Given the right conditions condensation will form on any surface, but it is often more visible on windows. That dampness could be right through your home.

The air inside your home contains moisture. When the indoor temperature cools down the air cannot hold as much water vapour. The result is that the water vapour condenses as a liquid becoming visible particularly on cold non absorbent surfaces such as windows. Unseen moisture penetrates your carpets, fabrics and any other absorbent surface often making them feel cold and damp.

Us – our every breath when sleeping or awake, puts moisture into the air. On a cold morning, you can actually see the moisture appear right in front of you, when you breathe.

Water vapour also comes from using water, such as when cooking, showering and growing indoor plants.

Use of clothes dryers and some gas heaters can create a significant amount of moisture inside the home.

New houses will have a higher level of internal moisture as framing timber, concrete floor slabs and other building materials can take many months to stabilise.

Even your geographical location and climate can have an effect on condensation. New Zealand humidity levels vary across the country.

Household Activity Average moisture added to the indoor air
Cooking 3.0 litres day
Clothes washing 500 ml per day
Showers and baths 1.5 litres per day per person
Dishes 1.0 litre per day
Clothes drying (unvented) 5.0 litres per load
Gas heater (unflued) 1.0 litre per hour
Breathing 20ml per hour per person
Pot plants As much as you give them

As condensation is a living conditions issue, simply installing new windows will not fix the problem. There are a variety of methods to help minimise the chance for condensation:

Ventilation
Ventilation can help reduce moisture and condensation, keeping your home drier, healthier and more comfortable. Keeping windows open, even if only by a little for some of the daytime, can help reduce condensation.

Some window types can be supplied incorporating passive ventilation which allows you to lock your windows without stopping ongoing ventilation.

Ventilation is especially important in newer homes, because they tend to be more airtight, providing less natural airflow.

When cooking, drying laundry, or showering, make sure you let the water vapour escape outside. You can do this by opening windows or vents, or turning on a ventilation fan.
Dehumidifiers are useful as their sole purpose is to reduce moisture in the air. A dehumidifier draws in the moisture laden air from around the room, extracts the water and deposits it into an inbuilt container. You can easily dispose of this water by removing and emptying the container.

There are several types of domestic ventilation system available. They work by replacing the moisture-laden air in your home with air that may be drier – potentially reducing condensation and improving air quality as a result. Some systems have built in electric heaters that can also warm your home.

About us

The Better Windows team has many years of experience in installing window film and Mitsubishi heat pumps. We want your home to comfortable and energy efficient.